Introduction
In 2005, Ann took part in the UK ITV series ‘Have I Been Here Before?’ hosted by Phillip Schofield. In this series celebrities have a past life regression session with Hypnotherapist Andrea Foulkes. Their past life experiences are then investigated by Jules Hudson, a historian and archaeologist, to see if these accounts can be verified.
Ann Maurice is an American Interior Designer and house stager, best known in the UK for her Channel 5 TV series ‘The House Doctor‘. She also hosted the Channel 5 series of ‘Ann Maurice: Interior Rivalry ‘.
She now lives in San Francisco, California
Past Life Regression
Ahead of the session with Andrea she said, “I’ve thought about past lives ever since I was a child. I think it’s someone I have always believed in… I certainly know I have been here before”. She went on to say, “I wouldn’t be surprised being regressed into a male body in the past because I think we all have male and female characteristics”.
When regressed she experienced a life as a 22 year old Roman legionary in the time of Emperor Augustus named Cassius. His assignment was to guard the castle of a local king in a desert region from the “very hairy” barbarian enemy. He is originally from Rome and is far from home. Later, after rescuing this king’s son in battle, he is rewarded with access to the royal chambers and falls in love with a local woman who begins to teach him the local language.
Later on in this lifetime, in his mid-30s, he has married this woman and has a daughter and baby son, Rebecca and Joshua. The year is 85 AD. Although sadly his wife dies in childbirth and he feels the grief of her loss. Finally we hear of his experience at the end of his life aged only 40. He reflects on his life and lessons he has learnt including how to survive and be alone.
Speaking immediately after the regression she said, “That was quite an experience… I could visualise everything, I mean I could tell you now what my wife looked like, my children looked like, the house looked like. It wasn’t just a feeling it was vivid pictures”.
Investigation
Jules Hudson’s research confirmed that the name, Cassius, was common and that the description of the armour and clothing was accurate to Roman times. He was also able to establish where this Roman soldier was. Based on Ann’s description of the region and the locals worshipping Jehovah (the Hebrew name for god), Jules believes he was likely stationed in the Middle East – perhaps Egypt, Syria or Israel.
But having looked closely at the dates, Jules thinks he was likely in Jerusalem having put down a rebellion by locals against the Roman occupation. This was likely the First Jewish Roman War (66–73 AD), sometimes called the Great Jewish or The Jewish War. It was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews against the Roman Empire, fought in Roman controlled Judea (present day Israel).
Reflection
When asked afterwards about her past life regression, Ann talked about how vivid the experience was. She said, “Yes, I can picture it and feel it”. She added that there were many echoes to her currently life including loyalty, determination and persistence. When asked if she thought she had been here before, she said, ”Oh yes. At least a hundred and some times… No question. I am a believer”.